July 2026 - Our Month In Review

Our historic coat of arms stone plaque has been carefully restored over the past few weeks by our brilliant caretaker, Kev Croft

Did you know?

The crest dates back to 1954 and reflects our district’s proud heritage

It features the Glenfield Railway Tunnel, celebrating our railway history

There are symbols of hosiery and cloth-making, linking to local industry

The motto “In Terra Divitiae” means “In the Earth Riches” – a nod to our fertile land and rural roots

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 – 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 (𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝)

We attended a residents at Sharnford Youth Club during June – it was great to see such strong community engagement on this important application.

A huge thank you to Sharnford Parish Council for organising the meeting, and to the Chair, 𝐂𝐥𝐥𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐫, for leading the discussion so effectively

Fosse Villages Beat Surgery

We attended the Beat Surgery at Sharnford Evergreen Village Hall last month — always a valuable opportunity to connect with our local policing team and residents.

It was good to catch up with PC Marvell and PCSO Danny to discuss local policing issues, share updates, and hear any concerns firsthand. We also had some great conversations with residents — your input really matters and helps shape what we do locally.  

If you haven’t been before, please do consider coming along to a future beat surgery — it’s a relaxed way to raise issues, ask questions, and stay informed. 

 Clean Air Day - Coffee Morning

Blaby District Council ran a clean air coffee morning in June. Blaby District Council is taking real, positive action to create a cleaner, greener future for our communities. This was great to see how much difference we can make to create cleaner air.

Updates included:

- Transitioning our fleet to electric and low-emission vehicles
- Installing solar panels at council depots
- Providing real-time air quality data for residents

 

 Sapcote Community Library – 10 Year Anniversary Event

We were delighted to attend the 10-year anniversary of Sapcote Community Library – a fantastic milestone for such an important local asset. It was great to see so many people there celebrating, and we were proud to officially cut the ribbon on the new bench funded through our Ward Improvement Grant.

A huge well done to all the volunteers, past and present – your dedication keeps the library thriving and at the heart of the community.

Sharnford Fete

𝐀 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐭𝐞

Many thanks to our MP Alberto Costa for formally opening the fete— it was great to have his support for such a fantastic community event.

Congratulations to the Evergreen Hall Committee for winning the Village Jubilee Cup  – a well-deserved recognition for a group that has worked tirelessly over many years running the hall and organising regular events, including their popular bacon buttie mornings, raising funds for local charities and the village.

A big thank you to Sharnford Parish Council and its Chair, Cllr Gary Peryer, for their continued support in helping make events like this possible.

A huge thank you as well to the Village Fete Committee and all the volunteers who made the day so special—you could really feel the community spirit throughout.  It was brilliant to catch up with so many residents across the afternoon.

Great to see Jon and Danny from our local beat team stopping by too —always appreciated.

Blaby News

•       District votes on Local Plan
•       Promoting respect in politics
•       New protection for tenants
•       Big Tree Giveaway
•       Temporary planning permission granted at Sycamore Street

Councillor Activities

Ben and Mike will attend Parish Council meetings, committee meetings, cabinet meetings, local functions and meetings with residents.

•          Blaby Tourism Cycle Routes Event
•          Sharnford Fete Committee – 1st
•          Planning Committee – 2nd
•          Sapcote Parish Council – 2nd
•          Parish Council Liaison – 6th
•          Environment Portfolio meeting with Assistant Director – 7th
•          Planning Portfolio meeting with Director – 7th
•          Planning Portfolio meeting with Director – 16th
•          Planning Reform & Devolution – 16th
•          Sharnford Parish Council – 16th
•          Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting – LGR – 17th
•          A5 Transport Partnership – 17th
•          LGR Decision Briefing – 17th
•          Wigston Parva Parish Meeting – 20th
•          PAS Planning Training – 22nd
•          Planning Portfolio Meeting with Assistant Director – 22nd
•          SLT/Cabinet Day – 28th
•          Planning Obligations Meeting – 30th
•          Planning Committee – 30th

LOCAL PLAN                                    

A consultation on the final draft version of the Blaby District Local Plan will go ahead in July following a Council vote.

Councillors tonight (30 June) voted to launch a six-week consultation with communities, stakeholders and residents on the District’s vision for growth over the next 17 years.

The Council has been preparing the new Local Plan since 2019 and is now at the Regulation 19 consultation stage – the final round of consultation before the plan is submitted to a government planning inspector for review.

Without an up-to-date plan development can still happen, but the Council has less control over where and how.

The consultation launches on 8 July and close at 12pm on 24 August. Those interested in the blueprint document are invited to comment on whether the plan is compliant and sound; meaning it is:

• Positively prepared – focusses on meeting community needs
• Justified – based on evidence
• Effective – can be achieved and is based on joint working with neighbouring councils and organisations
• Consistent with national policy

Representations should be made online at www.blaby.gov.uk/local-plan.www.blaby.gov.uk/local-plan. Detailed guidance will be published to help people understand how to comment. All Local Plan documents and evidence will be available on the Council’s website. Paper copies of the plan will also be available at the Council offices and in libraries across the District.

 All representations will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration at examination.

Drop-in events

To support communities in understanding the plan a series of drop-in events are also being held across the District. 

Councillor Mike Shirley, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Strategic Growth, said: “The Local Plan aims to deliver homes, jobs and infrastructure in the right places, while protecting what matters most to our communities. Following many years of evidence-gathering, review and engagement, we are now ready to launch our final round of consultation. This is an important final step to ensure our plan meets the law and national planning policy and is considered sound.

“Since our previous consultation in 2021 we have received updated housing figures from the government and have had to look again at how we can support the creation of more than 11,000 homes across the District over the next 17 years. 

“I would encourage anyone looking to comment to come to our drop-in events and learn more about the plan and speak to our team about completing the consultation. Comments must focus on specific points, including whether the plan has been prepared positively, in collaboration with communities and neighbouring authorities, and meets the needs of our growing population.”

PLANNING

Major Planning Applications

25/0532/FUL- Land to the West of Springwell Lane, Whetstone

Residential development of 115 dwellings

Application approved by Planning Committee on 11th June 2026
 

25/0810/OUT – Land to the East of Holt Way and Land to the South of Warwick Road, Littlethorpe

Outline application for the erection of up to 150 residential dwellings.

Application approved by Planning Committee on 11th June 2026

25/1080/RM – Land South of Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East

Reserved matters for 145 new dwellings

Application approved by Planning Committee on 11th June 2026

25/0999/FUL – Land to North of Cemetery, Forest Road, Huncote

Erection of 47 dwellings

Application refused by Planning Committee on 11th June 2026

26/0231/FUL – Land South of Lychgate Lane, Aston Flamville

Retrospective change of use of land as a residential caravan site comprising 10 Gypsy and Traveller Pitches accommodating 10 static caravans/mobile homes

Application approved by Planning Committee on 11th June 2026

25/1074/FUL – Enderby Life Church, Moores Lane, Enderby

Demolition of existing church and erection of children’s care home

Application for consideration by Planning Committee on 2nd July 2026

25/1131/OUT – Church Farm, Marston Road, Croft

Outline application for demolition of existing building and erection of new commercial building

Application for consideration by Planning Committee on 2nd July 2026

25/1026/RM – Land to the North of Leicester Road, Sapcote

Reserved matters approval for development of 80 dwellings.

Application awaiting date for consideration by Planning Committee

26/0361/OUT – Land to the North of Leicester Road, Sharnford.

Outline application for development of up to 120 dwellings and a shop.

Application awaiting date for consideration by Planning Committee

Local Planning Applications

26/0529/HH – Shire Cottage, 2 New Walk, Sapcote

Erection of single storey rear extension

Appeals  

Blaby Golf Course Appeal

The appeal process has taken place over 9 days, and the Planning Inspector will now consider all aspects of the appeal. The decision could take 6 months.

Sycamore Street

Temporary planning permission granted by government inspector.

A PDF version of this newsletter can be downloaded from the link below.